Trapani: small, beautiful, and one strange evening
Updated October 2026
We find Trapani beautiful and really small. It was a quick visit: one night, a boat trip, and gone. Our room had a balcony that opened onto the sea.
Trapani at a glance
- Best time
- June, September
- Price level
- affordable
- Getting around
- walkable, boats to the islands
- Best for
- boating and islands
- The catch
- The town itself is quiet and the food scene is thin. You come for the islands.
When to go
Temperatures are average daily highs in °F and °C (WeatherSpark). Ratings are our own. $ = cheapest, $$$ = most expensive. 🔥 = heat, ★ = big event.
A boat trip to the Egadi Islands
Trapani is the jumping-off point for the Egadi Islands. Our boat trip was run by Egadi Boating, a family business, and they were real professionals. We kept chatting with them long after the trip.
The evening when nothing happened
There were few customers, yet nothing seemed to happen. After a long wait we got a drink, and then again nothing. We got up to leave and pay for the drinks, and a fairly loud discussion began when they wanted money for the food too. The food had never come, and had never been made, so in the end everyone agreed. We finished with a hug, and all was well.
So that restaurant left a slightly bad taste. Elsewhere it would surely have gone better, but sadly we can’t review the food.
Day trips
Trapani makes a good base for western Sicily: islands, a hilltop village, salt flats and temples are all close.
A medieval hilltop village with almond pastries. Often in the clouds, so check the weather first.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
Turquoise water, and an island you can tour by bike.
Salt flats with windmills, and Marsala wine cellars.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
A Greek temple standing alone among the hills.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
One of Sicily’s most beautiful beaches.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
Where to eat
Breakfast and brunch
Lunch
Dinner
We picked these places from Google ratings and reviews in October 2026, and we haven’t eaten at all of them. Many Italian restaurants take reservations on WhatsApp, and a reservation only counts once they reply. The Map link opens the restaurant in Google Maps, where you’ll also find a booking button if they take online reservations. Opening hours change, so check before you go.
Food and wine
Sicily on a plate: a typical four-course menu, and the wine to go with each.
Cook it at home. Our English recipes for this menu, with US and metric measurements and a shopping list you can print.
Get the recipesGolf
Green fees are estimates and vary by season and day of the week. Most courses ask for a handicap certificate. The links go to the course or a golf directory with booking and contact details.
Shopping
- Sea salt: salt from Trapani’s salt pans makes a good, light souvenir.
- Coral jewelry: an old Trapani craft.
Culture and events
- Processione dei Misteri, Good Friday: an Easter procession lasting about 24 hours, one of Italy’s oldest. The center is packed from Friday to Saturday morning.
Check the exact dates on the event’s own website, as they can change from year to year.
What Trapani costs
On a budget, about $90 to $115 per person per day. In comfort or luxury, about $330. The lower number is the quiet season, the higher one peak season.
Includes your stay, food, activities and local transport, not flights. Converted at about $1.10 per euro. Estimates only.
Flights from the US and Canada
Fly into: Trapani (TPS) or Palermo (PMO). Typical economy fares per person, round trip, with a connection. Canadian fares are in Canadian dollars. Not live prices, so always check before you book.
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